Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I move amendment No. 83:

In page 48, line 1, after "oath" to insert "or affirmation".

The purpose of this amendment is to clarify the position regarding affirmations. When I have tabled similar amendments in the past, the relevant Minister has claimed the issue is dealt with by the Interpretation Acts. That is not the case. The Interpretations Act does not say what everybody seems to imply. It provides that an oath includes affirmation for persons entitled by law to affirm. However, there must be a legal entitlement which is what we are seeking in this amendment. Recently, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform conceded that point during a debate on another Bill.

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